An inter-language interface is created for an executable file written in a legacy language. The header associated with the legacy file is initially marked up language to generate a first marked header. The legacy file is then wrapped with a first wrapper based at least partially upon the first marked header to create a first wrapped file. Additionally, the first marked header is associated with type maps customized in accordance with the target language in order to generate a second marked header. An executable file may then be generated by wrapping the first wrapped file with a second wrapper so as to be executable in the target language, thereby creating a second wrapped file. Additionally, an interface layer is generated to associate functions in the legacy language with methods in the target language and to define the usage in the target language of the parameters in the legacy language.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A processor-implemented method for creating an inter-language interface for an executable file written in a legacy language and having an associated header, the method comprising: marking the header to generate a first marked header, wherein the header identifies one or more functions of the executable file and one or more parameters of the respective functions, and wherein marking the header comprises marking the header to define an exposure of the respective functions in an object-oriented architecture of a target language by placing each function in one of several classes and to define usage of the parameters of the respective functions; wrapping the executable file in the legacy language with a first wrapper based at least partially upon the first marked header to create a first wrapped file; associating type maps customized in accordance with the target language with the first marked header in order to generate a second marked header having target language specific directives; and generating an executable file based upon the second marked header by wrapping the first wrapped file with a second wrapper configured to permit execution of the first wrapped file with computer executable instructions in the target language to create a second wrapped file and also generating an interface layer configured to associate functions in the legacy language with methods in the target language and to define the usage of the parameters of the functions in the legacy language in the target language.
A processor-implemented method automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language"). It first modifies the legacy file's header, which lists functions and parameters, to specify how these functions should be exposed in the target language's object-oriented structure (classes) and how the parameters should be handled. The legacy file is then wrapped with code based on this modified header. Type mappings customized for the target language are applied to further refine the header. Finally, the wrapped legacy code is wrapped again to enable execution within the target language, creating an interface layer that connects legacy functions to target language methods, and clarifies how legacy parameters are used in the target language.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein marking the header further comprises presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to associate the one or more functions of the executable file with respective class types of the target language.
The method for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a processor-implemented method that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) also includes presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to manually specify which classes of the target language the various functions from the legacy executable should be associated with.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein marking the header further comprises presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to name the one or more functions of the executable file in a manner consistent with a naming convention of the target language.
The method for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a processor-implemented method that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) also includes presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to rename the functions from the legacy executable file so that they conform to the naming standards and conventions of the target language.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein marking the header further comprises presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to identify a type for each parameter of the respective functions with the type being consistent with the target language.
The method for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a processor-implemented method that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) also includes presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to define the data type of each parameter used by the functions in the legacy executable, ensuring that those types are compatible with the target language.
5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising generating, based upon the first marked header, documentation regarding the executable file including the one or more functions of the executable file and the one or more parameters of the respective functions.
The method for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a processor-implemented method that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) additionally generates documentation based on the modified header. This documentation details the functions within the legacy executable and their parameters, which is helpful for developers using the inter-language interface.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein marking the header to define the exposure of the respective functions comprises placing a function in a respective class.
In the method for creating an inter-language interface (a processor-implemented method that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer), defining the "exposure" of functions involves assigning each function to a specific class within the target language's object-oriented architecture.
7. A computer program product for creating an inter-language interface for an executable file written in a legacy language and having an associated header, the computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage memory having computer-executable program code portions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising: first program code instructions configured to mark the header to generate a first marked header, wherein the header identifies one or more functions of the executable file and one or more parameters of the respective functions, and wherein the first program code instructions are configured to mark the header by marking the header to define an exposure of the respective functions in an object-oriented architecture of a target language by placing each function in one of several classes and to define usage of the parameters of the respective functions; second program code instructions configured to wrap the executable file in the legacy language with a first wrapper based at least partially upon the first marked header to create a first wrapped file; third program code instructions configured to associated type maps customized in accordance with the target language with the first marked header in order to generate a second marked header having target language specific directives; and fourth program code instructions configured to generate an executable file based upon the second marked header by wrapping the first wrapped file with a second wrapper configured to permit execution of the first wrapped file with computer executable instructions in the target language to create a second wrapped file and also to generate an interface layer configured to associate functions in the legacy language with methods in the target language and to define the usage of the parameters of the functions in the legacy language in the target language.
A computer program product stored on a computer-readable medium automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language"). The program first modifies the legacy file's header, which lists functions and parameters, to specify how these functions should be exposed in the target language's object-oriented structure (classes) and how the parameters should be handled. The legacy file is then wrapped with code based on this modified header. Type mappings customized for the target language are applied to further refine the header. Finally, the wrapped legacy code is wrapped again to enable execution within the target language, creating an interface layer that connects legacy functions to target language methods, and clarifies how legacy parameters are used in the target language.
8. The computer program product according to claim 7 wherein the first program code instructions are also configured to mark the header by presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to associate the one or more functions of the executable file with respective class types of the target language.
The computer program product for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a computer program product that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) also includes presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to manually specify which classes of the target language the various functions from the legacy executable should be associated with.
9. The computer program product according to claim 7 wherein the first program code instructions are also configured to mark the header by presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to name the one or more functions of the executable file in a manner consistent with a naming convention of the target language.
The computer program product for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a computer program product that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) also includes presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to rename the functions from the legacy executable file so that they conform to the naming standards and conventions of the target language.
10. The computer program product according to claim 7 wherein the first program code instructions are also configured to mark the header by presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to identify a type for each parameter of the respective functions with the type being consistent with the target language.
The computer program product for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a computer program product that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) also includes presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to define the data type of each parameter used by the functions in the legacy executable, ensuring that those types are compatible with the target language.
11. The computer program product according to claim 7 further comprising fifth program code instructions configured to generate, based upon the first marked header, documentation regarding the executable file including the one or more functions of the executable file and the one or more parameters of the respective functions.
The computer program product for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a computer program product that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) additionally generates documentation based on the modified header. This documentation details the functions within the legacy executable and their parameters, which is helpful for developers using the inter-language interface.
12. The computer program product according to claim 7 further comprising fifth program code instructions configured to mark the header to define the exposure of the respective functions by placing a function in a respective class.
In the computer program product for creating an inter-language interface (a computer program product that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer), defining the "exposure" of functions involves assigning each function to a specific class within the target language's object-oriented architecture.
13. A apparatus for creating an inter-language interface for an executable file written in a legacy language and having an associated header, the apparatus comprising: a processor configured to mark the header to generate a first marked header, wherein the header identifies one or more functions of the executable file and one or more parameters of the respective functions, and wherein the processor is configured to mark the header to define an exposure of the respective functions in an object-oriented architecture of a target language by placing each function in one of several classes and to define usage of the parameters of the respective functions, wherein the processor is also configured to wrap the executable file in the legacy language with a first wrapper based at least partially upon the first marked header to create a first wrapped file, wherein the processor is also configured to associate type maps customized in accordance with the target language with the first marked header in order to generate a second marked header having target language specific directives, and wherein the processor is further configured to generate an executable file based upon the second marked header by wrapping the first wrapped file with a second wrapper configured to permit execution of the first wrapped file with computer executable instructions in the target language to create a second wrapped file and also to generate an interface layer configured to associate functions in the legacy language with methods in the target language and to define the usage of the parameters of the functions in the legacy language in the target language.
An apparatus comprising a processor automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language"). The processor modifies the legacy file's header, which lists functions and parameters, to specify how these functions should be exposed in the target language's object-oriented structure (classes) and how the parameters should be handled. The legacy file is then wrapped with code based on this modified header. Type mappings customized for the target language are applied to further refine the header. Finally, the wrapped legacy code is wrapped again to enable execution within the target language, creating an interface layer that connects legacy functions to target language methods, and clarifies how legacy parameters are used in the target language.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the processor is configured to mark the header by presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to associate the one or more functions of the executable file with respective class types of the target language.
The apparatus for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (an apparatus comprising a processor that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) includes a processor configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to manually specify which classes of the target language the various functions from the legacy executable should be associated with.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the processor is configured to mark the header by presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to name the one or more functions of the executable file in a manner consistent with a naming convention of the target language.
The apparatus for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (an apparatus comprising a processor that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) includes a processor configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to rename the functions from the legacy executable file so that they conform to the naming standards and conventions of the target language.
16. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the processor is configured to mark the header by presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to identify a type for each parameter of the respective functions with the type being consistent with the target language.
The apparatus for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (an apparatus comprising a processor that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) includes a processor configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to define the data type of each parameter used by the functions in the legacy executable, ensuring that those types are compatible with the target language.
17. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to generate, based upon the first marked header, documentation regarding the executable file including the one or more functions of the executable file and the one or more parameters of the respective functions.
The apparatus for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (an apparatus comprising a processor that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) includes a processor further configured to generate documentation based on the modified header. This documentation details the functions within the legacy executable and their parameters, which is helpful for developers using the inter-language interface.
18. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to mark the header to define the exposure of the respective functions by placing a function in a respective class.
In the apparatus for creating an inter-language interface (an apparatus comprising a processor that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer), defining the "exposure" of functions involves assigning each function to a specific class within the target language's object-oriented architecture.
19. The method according to claim 1 wherein marking the header further comprises presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to define at least one of the usage of at least one parameter of a respective function or a value of at least one parameter of a respective function.
The method for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a processor-implemented method that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) also includes presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to define how the parameters of the legacy functions should be used in the target language, or to specify default values for these parameters.
20. The computer program product according to claim 7 wherein the first program code instructions are also configured to mark the header by presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to define at least one of the usage of at least one parameter of a respective function or a value of at least one parameter of a respective function.
The computer program product for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (a computer program product that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) also includes presenting a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to define how the parameters of the legacy functions should be used in the target language, or to specify default values for these parameters.
21. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the processor is configured to mark the header by presenting a graphical user interface and receiving input to define at least one of the usage of at least one parameter of a respective function or a value of at least one parameter of a respective function.
The apparatus for creating an inter-language interface from the previous description (an apparatus comprising a processor that automatically creates an interface enabling an executable file written in an older language ("legacy language") to be used with a newer language ("target language") by modifying the legacy file's header, wrapping it, and creating an interface layer) includes a processor configured to present a graphical user interface (GUI). This GUI allows a user to define how the parameters of the legacy functions should be used in the target language, or to specify default values for these parameters.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
October 10, 2008
September 10, 2013
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